What does the Bible say about clapping in church?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible permits joyful expressions such as clapping when they genuinely praise God, while calling the church to worship with reverence, love, and orderly concern for others. Psalm 47:1 summons all peoples to clap and shout to God with joy, and Psalm 98:8 poetically pictures creation clapping in celebration of the Lord’s righteous judgment. Psalm 150 likewise commends wholehearted praise with fitting instruments. Yet Ezekiel 25:6 warns against clapping in malicious delight over another’s ruin, showing that the heart matters. Romans 14:1-3 teaches believers not to quarrel over disputable practices. Therefore, clapping may be appropriate in corporate worship when it serves God’s glory and the congregation’s edification, not entertainment, pride, or division.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Psalms 47:1 11 votes
> Oh clap your hands, all you nations. Shout to God with the voice of triumph!
- Isaiah 55:12 10 votes
For you shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing; and all the trees of the fields shall clap their hands.
- Psalms 98:8 6 votes
Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together.
- Ezekiel 25:6-7 5 votes
[6] For thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have clapped your hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced with all the despite of your soul against the land of Israel; [7] therefore, behold, I have stretched out my hand on you, and will deliver you for a spoil to the nations; and I will cut you off from the peoples, and I will cause you to perish out of the countries: I will destroy you; and you shall know that I am Yahweh.
- Romans 14:1-3 4 votes
[1] Now receive one who is weak in faith, but not for disputes over opinions. [2] One man has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. [3] Don't let him who eats despise him who doesn't eat. Don't let him who doesn't eat judge him who eats, for God has received him.
- Psalms 150:1-6 4 votes
[1] Praise Yah! Praise God in his sanctuary! Praise him in his heavens for his acts of power! [2] Praise him for his mighty acts! Praise him according to his excellent greatness! [3] Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet! Praise him with harp and lyre! [4] Praise him with tambourine and dancing! Praise him with stringed instruments and flute! [5] Praise him with loud cymbals! Praise him with resounding cymbals! [6] Let everything that has breath praise Yah! Praise Yah!
- Revelation 1:1 4 votes
This is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel to his servant, John,
- Romans 15:9 3 votes
and that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, "Therefore will I give praise to you among the Gentiles, And sing to your name."
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